With only seven first-class matches under his belt, he is handed a Test debut after impressing South African coach Ray Jennings with his pace. It's a torrid Test baptism - he finishes with 3 for 146 in a seven-wicket defeat.

April-May, 2006

A spirited second coming

Starts drawing comparisons with Allan Donald after a breakthrough home series against New Zealand. He collects 16 wickets at 26.00 in three Tests forming a potent new-ball combination with Makhaya Ntini.

October 3, 2006

The accolades start

His promising return to Test cricket after the stumbling start in 2004 makes him one of South Africa's Five Cricketers of the Year, the first time he's chosen for the honour.

October 1-5, 2007

Swinging in the subcontinent

Helps South Africa take a 1-0 lead over Pakistan with a second-innings five-for in Karachi. It's his first major performance away from home.

November 2007

Among the world's best

Breaks into the top ten of the ICC rankings for Test bowlers for the first time after dismantling New Zealand with his first ten-wicket match haul in Johannesburg. A week later, he's in the top five after collecting ten more in Centurion in a three-day demolition job.

December 2007-January 2008

No stopping Steyn

Batsmen continue to be clueless against him, and South Africa fight back to take the home Test series against West Indies 2-1 on the back of his 20 wickets at 19.10, including a 6 for 72 in the first innings of the deciding Test in Durban.

February-March 2008

Brushing aside Bangladesh

The wickets keep coming for Steyn. In Bangladesh, he picks up 14 in two Tests as South Africa sweep to victory in both.

3-5 April, 2008

India buckle to pace

A vaunted Indian batting order crumbles to 76 all out to Steyn & Co. in less than two hours on the first day in Ahmedabad. His figures are 8-2-23-5, including the ball of the day to dismiss Rahul Dravid. The performance lifts him to No. 1 in the Test bowling rankings.

June 18, 2008

Sweeping the South Africa awards

He caps off a great season in Test cricket by winning three major honours in the annual South African Awards - SA Cricketer of the Year, Test Player of the Year, SA Players' Player of the Year.

September 10, 2008

Yet another accolade

Wins the Test Player of the Year at the annual ICC Awards, after taking 86 wickets at 18.10 in 14 Tests in the 12-month period under consideration. It is his first major ICC Award.

December 26-30, 2008

Historic high for South Africa

South Africa complete their 'greatest year' in cricket, winning a Test series in Australia. Steyn stars in the win at the MCG: besides bagging five wickets in each innings, he's involved in a game-shaping 180-run tenth-wicket stand with JP Duminy.

January 14-17, 2010

Demolishing England

South Africa need to win the fourth Test against England in Johannesburg to square the series. Steyn delivers, picking 5 for 51 to knock England over for 180 in the first innings.

February 6-9, 2010

Masterclass in Nagpur

A lethal display of swing bowling sends India tumbling from 192 for 3 to 233 all out in the first innings in Nagpur. His 7 for 51 rips out two batsmen with conventional swing before a spell of 3.4-2-3-5 with the old ball completes the job.

June 10-13, 2010

Steyn crushes West Indies

Another Test, another five-for. His sensational run in Tests continues as he scoops eight wickets to be pivotal to South Africa's 163-run win over West Indies in Trinidad.

June 26-29, 2010

Spat with Benn

Is penalised his entire match fee following a disciplinary run-in with Sulieman Benn in the third Test in Barbados. After being repeatedly provoked by Benn, Steyn appears to spit in Benn's direction after he is dismissed.

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